Marijuana

According to the United Nations, 158.8 million people around the world use marijuana—more than 3.8% of the planet’s population.

Over 94 million people in the US have admitted using it at least once.

According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2.1 million people in the US abused marijuana for the first time that year.

Among 12- to 17-year-olds, 6.7% were current marijuana users in 2007.

According to US government estimates, domestic marijuana production has increased tenfold over the last twenty-five years: from 1,000 metric tons (2.2 million pounds) in 1981 to 10,000 metric tons (22 million pounds) in 2006. Not surprisingly, 58% of those aged 12 to 17 state that pot is easy to obtain. US marijuana users spent approximately $10.5 billion on the drug in the year 2000.

In 2005, 242,200 emergency room visits in the United States involved marijuana.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, a large percentage of those arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana. Nationwide, 40% of adult males tested positive at the time of their arrest.